Why plants are the stars

Hello again

With the advent and subsequent demise of the garden makeover show, we now have been left with a slightly distorted view of what constitutes a garden. We have been led to believe that all gardens need one or more gimmicks to be creditable. I am talking about gimmicks like trellis, decks, water features, terraces, gazebos, ponds, hammocks and all sorts of other paraphernalia. Please understand me, I don’t mean that these elements should never be included; on occasions, one or more of these elements can be a useful addition to a garden but they should not be the essential elements.

When you strip away all the bells and whistles, good gardens are quite a simple mixture of skilful design and the intelligent use of plants, trees and grass.

Good design should lead you effortlessly around the garden, allowing you to pause and take stock before tempting you to explore a little further. Good design should tantalise you with surprises and views. Lastly, good design should me memorable in an indefinable way; you know it’s good design but you are not entirely sure why.

Good planting on the other hand, is the ability to create interest all year around; to challenge the senses with scent, texture, sound and even taste. Good planting is not only three dimensional, it has the added complexities of evolving year by year and changing throughout the seasons. Planting design is an under-valued art that deserves a bigger stage.

Think of the best gardens in the country: Sissinghurst, Powys, Hidcote, Wisley, Nymans, Trelissick and you will realise that the key element is the quality and use of plants and trees. Having visited any of these gardens, you are not left with a mental image of blue trellis, timber decking or “comedy” statues, you are left with a sense of plants and trees.

The definitive measure of a quality garden is atmosphere; does the garden have its own atmosphere? Atmosphere is the culmination of good design meeting good planting. A successful garden should be able to change your mood in an instant in the same way that a piece of art, a film, a play or piece of music can. A successful garden should control and manage your senses and your mood. Finally, a successful garden will linger in the memory for days, months or even years.

So what now?

It’s time garden design and gardening got back to the raw elements of what makes a successful garden a success – how?

• Don’t ever be tempted to do a “garden makeover”
• Think about investing and not spending
• Use fewer materials but invest a little more money in them
• Invest in soil preparation because you will reap the rewards later
• Resist the temptation to buy big plants because smaller plants cost less, establish more quickly and soon overtake their bigger cousins

Remember gardens are about evolution, not revolution and if you use good design wedded to well chosen, healthy trees, plants and grass to create a garden with atmosphere then you have succeeded.

Until next time...